Dutch idioms: 10 common expressions and what they mean
Learn ten common Dutch idioms as fixed expressions, use them in everyday sentences, and avoid translating their words literally.
Na drie gesprekken hakken we vandaag de knoop door. (After three meetings, we are making the decision today.) Here, de knoop doorhakken means to make an important decision, not to cut a real knot.
How do you build a sentence with an idiom?
Learn the fixed words and their non-literal meaning as one unit, then change the verb for the subject and time and replace only the marked slots.
- Store the infinitive (the dictionary verb form) with every small word: de knoop doorhakken (to make an important decision), not just doorhakken.
- Mark the open slots. In iets onder de knie krijgen (to get the hang of something), iets (something) can become de uitspraak (pronunciation) or achteruit inparkeren (reverse parking).
- Change the verb for the subject and time. Keep the other fixed words unless the expression marks an open slot.
Ten idioms and when to use them
Read each row from the fixed Dutch words to the meaning, then check the last column for its use or limit.
| Fixed expression | Meaning and example | Use or limit |
|---|---|---|
| de knoop doorhakken | to make an important decision. Na drie gesprekken hakken we vandaag de knoop door. (After three meetings, we are making the decision today.) | Use it for a final or important choice after doubt or discussion. |
| iets onder de knie krijgen | to understand something better or become better at a skill. Na een maand kreeg Noor de uitspraak onder de knie. (After a month, Noor got the hang of the pronunciation.) | The expression describes progress with knowledge or a skill. It does not always mean perfect mastery. |
| met de deur in huis vallen | to get straight to the main point. Laat ik met de deur in huis vallen: ik wil de afspraak verzetten. (Let me get straight to the point: I want to move the appointment.) | This is a direct opening. Maar can make it gentler: Laat ik maar met de deur in huis vallen. |
| een oogje in het zeil houden | to watch over a person or situation. Kun jij een oogje in het zeil houden terwijl de kinderen buiten spelen? (Can you keep an eye on things while the children play outside?) | Use it for keeping watch or making sure that things remain safe or orderly. |
| de kat uit de boom kijken | to wait, observe and then decide how to act. Tijdens haar eerste teamoverleg keek Sara de kat uit de boom. (During her first team meeting, Sara waited to see how things would go.) | The person first studies the situation. The expression means more than simply waiting for time to pass. |
| de handdoek in de ring gooien | to give up. Na drie mislukte pogingen gooide hij de handdoek in de ring. (After three failed attempts, he gave up.) | Use it when someone chooses to stop. They no longer want to continue or cannot continue. |
| de plank misslaan | to be wrong about something. De journalist sloeg de plank mis met zijn voorspelling. (The journalist got his prediction wrong.) | Use it for a wrong judgement, answer or remark. In Belgium, de bal misslaan is a common variant. |
| met iets in je maag zitten | to worry about something and not know what to do. Ik zit met de huurverhoging in mijn maag. (I am worried about the rent increase and do not know what to do.) | Change the possessive word for the person: ik ... in mijn maag, zij ... in haar maag. The expression describes a concern, not stomach pain. |
| iemand een hart onder de riem steken | to encourage someone. Voor het examen stak de docent Amir een hart onder de riem. (Before the exam, the teacher encouraged Amir.) | Replace iemand (someone) with the person who receives encouragement. Iemand een riem onder het hart steken is also an accepted variant. |
| ergens geen touw aan kunnen vastknopen | to be unable to understand something. Ik kan er geen touw aan vastknopen. (I cannot make sense of it.) | This fixed pattern normally contains geen and kunnen. Er ... aan refers back to the explanation, text or situation. |
The fixed words stay, but the verb changes
An idiom keeps its fixed words and non-literal meaning while its verb changes tense. Three expressions above contain separable verbs: doorhakken, misslaan, and vastknopen. In a main clause with one verb, their parts separate around other words. With a modal verb such as kunnen, the infinitive stays together at the end: Ik kan er geen touw aan vastknopen. (I cannot make sense of it.) Past participles such as doorgehakt and misgeslagen are also written together.
| Dictionary form | Main clause | Perfect tense |
|---|---|---|
| de knoop doorhakken | We hakken de knoop door. (We make the decision.) | We hebben de knoop doorgehakt. (We have made the decision.) |
| de plank misslaan | Hij slaat de plank mis. (He gets it wrong.) | Hij heeft de plank misgeslagen. (He got it wrong.) |
| de kat uit de boom kijken | Zij kijkt de kat uit de boom. (She waits to see how things go.) | Zij heeft de kat uit de boom gekeken. (She waited to see how things would go.) |
| de handdoek in de ring gooien | Ik gooi de handdoek in de ring. (I give up.) | Ik heb de handdoek in de ring gegooid. (I gave up.) |
A recognised slot can change. Replace iets or iemand with a noun. Match a possessive word such as mijn or haar to the person. Keep the other small words. A fixed verb-preposition pair also contains fixed words. An idiom adds a non-literal meaning that comes from the whole phrase.
Literal translation and invented variants cause mistakes
Translate the whole idea, not each Dutch word. Een oogje in het zeil houden refers to watching over someone or something; its separate words do not tell an English speaker that meaning. Keep the learned small words. A source may list a recognised variant, but that does not make every word replaceable.
These expressions fit everyday conversation and general writing. Use a direct verb when an official instruction or important message must have only one possible reading. A small tone word called a modal particle can adjust the tone around an idiom without becoming part of it: Laat ik maar met de deur in huis vallen. (Let me get straight to the point.)
See also
- Which expression means to wait, observe and then decide how to act?
- *de kat uit de boom kijken*
- *de knoop doorhakken*
- *met de deur in huis vallen*
- *een oogje in het zeil houden*
*De kat uit de boom kijken* means to wait and study the situation before you react. It does not describe watching a real cat.
- Which main clause correctly uses *de knoop doorhakken*?
- *We doorhakken vandaag de knoop.*
- *We hakken vandaag door de knoop.*
- *We hakken vandaag de knoop door.*
- *We hebben vandaag de knoop door.*
*Doorhakken* is separable. In this main clause, *hakken* follows the subject and *door* stands later: *We hakken vandaag de knoop door.*
- Mila has tried to repair the bicycle three times and now decides to stop. Which expression fits?
- *Mila hakt de knoop door.*
- *Mila gooit de handdoek in de ring.*
- *Mila slaat de plank mis.*
- *Mila houdt een oogje in het zeil.*
*De handdoek in de ring gooien* means to give up. Mila chooses to stop after several failed attempts.
- Which sentence correctly replaces *iets* in *iets onder de knie krijgen*?
- *Sam krijgt onder de uitspraak knie.*
- *Sam krijgt de uitspraak onder een knie.*
- *Sam onder de knie krijgt de uitspraak.*
- *Sam krijgt de uitspraak onder de knie.*
Replace *iets* with *de uitspraak* and keep *onder de knie* fixed: *Sam krijgt de uitspraak onder de knie.*
- What does *Ik kan er geen touw aan vastknopen* mean?
- I need a rope to attach it.
- I cannot make sense of it.
- I am keeping an eye on it.
- I have made a final decision.
The expression means that you cannot understand the explanation, text or situation. The rope is part of the figurative image.
Test yourself
Question 1 of 5
Which expression means to wait, observe and then decide how to act?